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Andrew reporting.
I think it's time for a strategy and planning session. What are our options? Is there
anything we can do?
"Bette, Isaac, Daniel, let's have some suggestions. Don't worry if your idea
is not practical; it might give someone else a related idea that will be really
applicable. OK? Begin."
We generated over thirty different ideas. Among them (not in order) are:
1. Overpower the Ipsolstai and take the ship's computer apart ourselves.
2. Relax and enjoy the ride.
3. Tell Commander Perry about Daniel's insistence on the reality of the One. Let the Ipsolstai figure it out.
4. Have Daniel try to communicate with the One.
5. Have Isaac try to communicate with the One.
6. Offer to help the Ipsolstai and have one of us interface directly with the ship's computer.
7. Send a distress signal to the Imperium.
No matter which option we choose, the ship's computer seems to be the vital element
in our plans. OK. Let's get back to the control panel.
The Guardian-of-Younger-Nestbrothers is still accellerating out of control.
Andrew, Daniel, and Isaac are trying to reach the computer control panel. It is
overhead on one wall, about three meters above us. Daniel has climbed up on Andrew's
back. Now Isaac is slowly and carefully making his way up. If Andrew doesn't collapse,
I think that Isaac will be able to reach the panel.
I wish I could help, but I am still pinned down with inert Ipsolstai. Nelson and
Commander Perry are are not responding to our translator box. It's hard to tell
with organic beings, but I hope they are not damaged beyond repair.
Yes! Isaac has reached the control panel. I can't see his hands and sensors and
front legs; they are inside with the circuits. Only his middle and rear legs
and antenna are still outside.
"Isaac! Be very careful! Don't touch anything you don't understand! Isaac! ISAAC!"
We saw a brilliant flash of light and blue sparks. A thin wisp of smoke is coming
out of the control panel compartment.
"ISAAAAC!"
Mao came back. He reported that the big hall where we went down that slope
isn't as big as we thought. It's mainly the slope itself that makes that hall seem
so large. Mao was saying that there is not much space between the slope and the
rock wall, where we went through. He went all around that slope on both sides.
What he found were three other tunnels, but all of them lead directly to the hall
where we are now.
Zachary and I were mapping this side of the rock wall. We didn't find any other
passage either except the three tunnels Mao reported. Also, no other glowing spot.
So, our next direction to move is definitely set. We will go down the tunnel that
Zachary found behind the rock marked by the glowing spot.
"Elder Brother, I'm ready for your Twenty Questions. Guess what I'm thinking
about. Come on, let me know your first question?"
"No, it's definitely not on Mars."
Theresa got really upset about the Ipsolstai's decision. I tried to hold her back,
but she ran out to the middle of the assembly sounding her distress signal. She went
right up to Commandant Fitzgerald in protest, dancing on her back four legs and waving
her hands.
"It isn't fair! You didn't see my pictures! I want to show you, then you'll know how
it happened! I want to show you!"
Caleb flashed red and black. He riffled his tentacles as a signal. The Ipsolstai with
projectile tubes pointed them at Theresa. I was so scared I couldn't move. Commandant
Fitzgerald addressed the assembled Ipsolstai.
Maybe we still have a chance to win, for Burn.
We continued on. My assumption yesterday was correct. That tunnel is the only way
the cave extends. It's narrow in here and the tunnel winds a lot, too. Gen is still
relaying back at the other tunnel. Mao and Sojourner are with us. Enoch is in
front. I'm keeping an eye on the caterpillar that Mao controls.
Watching what Mao is doing, I'm not quite sure if he is actually sentient and
independent, or just commanded by EB. And what about Kim? Gail reported that she
hasn't seen him since they left the Ipsolstai hall where Enoch got his flight lessons.
I think I'm going to ask Elder Brother about that.
Elder Brother said that Mao and Kim were sent by the Chinese to implement new software
and to have highly mobile units to get better control of the plant. Since the orbiter
crashed they are fully under EB's control. So, EB wouldn't classify them as sentient,
even though their programs are quite sophisticated. I also asked EB about Kim, but he
didn't say a word about him. I wonder if he is hiding something concerning Kim.
Looks like the tunnel gets wider now.
"Enoch, why are you stopping? What's ahead of us?"
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